The
Angelus
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral • Kansas City, Missouri •
Vol. 75 No. 6 • June 2006
Contents
From the Dean
Brokenness and God’s enduring love
Octave of Prayer for General Convention
Youth to have voice at General Convention
General Convention
Suggested Web Sites
Vestry approves changes in Cathedral governance
Adult Formation
Cathedral continues involvement with MN
Parish Picnic
The Cathedral’s Financial Status
Children’s Formation year wraps up, announce summer plans
Congrats Graduates!
Flower memorials and thanksgivings
With Sympathy
Trinity Teens conclude successful year filled with service
Wine tasting raises money for Cathedral, Maison de Naissance
News from Guild of the Christ Child
Choral Evensong
Weekly Activities
Activities for the Month of June
From the Dean
We are blessed in the Episcopal Church. That portion of the Church you and I see most often is right here in the people who make up Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. We experience in seemingly never ending ways the grace and love and presence of God. But in these last months I have been privileged to interact with fellow Episcopalians from around the country, and I’d like to share with a bit of what I have heard and seen.
A People Dedicated to Mission. Perhaps the healthiest area of our Church’s common life is a flourishing commitment to mission, both domestic and foreign. One would be hard pressed to find an Episcopal congregation of any size that is not doing some form of outreach to the local community as well as reaching out to those in need in our nation and abroad.
At the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes gathering in February, mission was the main theme. From supplying funds to aid relief in the Sudan and the Palestinian territories, to strengthening the work of the Episcopal Church in New Orleans and throughout the Gulf Coast, to underwriting encounters between seminarians from around the Anglican Communion at Canterbury Cathedral, our Church has a missionary zeal that is making a difference in lives and communities. Endowments are more and more being used to fund outreach, and such endowments are growing.
A People Yearning to be Reconcilers. “Cathedrals as Spaces of Reconciliation” was the theme of the 53rd North American Cathedral Deans Conference. Our leader was the Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Frank Griswold, who in our first session asked for each dean to share a bit about the work of reconciliation locally. The dean of New Orleans spoke of not only physical rebuilding but spiritual rebuilding in his city, and how the Episcopal Church was the most trusted agent of hope and caring in the region. The deans of Cincinnati and Detroit reported how local Episcopalians were leaders in healing division caused by race.
Colleagues were interested in our altar of reconciliation where we pray for victims of community violence, as well as the work of reconciliation that is carried out through the Kansas City Community Kitchen. I was impressed by the dedication and creativity of the deans and their vestries and congregations in carrying on the ministry of reconciliation.
A People Blessed with Servant Leaders. This month the XXVI Presiding Bishop will be elected at the General Convention, and Bishop Griswold will retire on All Saints’ Sunday when he hands over the primatial staff to his successor. He has embodied the ministry of reconciliation in his pastoral visits around the Episcopal Church and in representing us to the worldwide Communion.
He is committed to idea that truth is pluraform, that no one of us possesses all of God’s truth, and thus, we must be in communion with each other, so that together we can learn more of God’s truth. He says that he will miss his role, for as difficult as things have been at times, he remains terribly enthusiastic about the vocation of Anglicanism. Our voice of inclusively and reconciliation must not diminish.
The House of Deputies of the Episcopal Church will elect a new presiding officer; as the president of the House, the Very Rev. George Werner will be ending his term. Dean Werner and Bishop Griswold have served a great team, speaking to all of the Church, inviting dialogue and creating an atmosphere of sanctity, respect and safety for all who differ with the current majority opinions in the Church. Together, they have served our Church well, and have modeled for us all what it means to be servants and ministers of reconciliation.
The Episcopal Church is Blessed. From these experiences over the last months to reading of hundreds of pages of reports and resolutions concerning program, ministry and mission in preparation for General Convention, I feel fortunate to belong to such a dynamic limb of the Body of Christ. Welcoming all that God embraces, blessing all that God blesses, seeking and serving Christ in all people, willingly entering the most complex issues of life today, and entering into the Paschal Mystery of dying so that we might be raised to new life, I am proud to be an Episcopalian. And with you, I am committed to what our Anglican Tradition has to offer the universal Church, the world, and especially, Kansas City.
Bishop Griswold has written this prayer: God of all creation, in whom we live and move and have our being: be with us as we seek your will for our church. Send your Spirit of love and truth into our hearts, and enable us to grow up in all ways into Christ. Inform our deliberations with your wisdom. Help us with your grace to recognize and repent of our sinfulness. Fill us with patience, courage and hope. Widen our vision that we may see and act in union with Jesus who stretched out his arms in reconciling love upon the cross in order to draw all to himself. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
With affection,
Terry+
Brokenness and God’s enduring love
See if this story sounds familiar: the bishops of the Church are divided over a matter of scriptural interpretation. Both groups claim authority, insisting that theirs is the correct interpretation. Dialogue quickly disintegrates, and so a meeting is convened. Eventually, an agreement is ironed out. Unfortunately, some of the bishops refuse to go along with the program. They continue to put forth their agenda, gathering power and influence until nobody knows what to believe.
So another council is convened. Yet again, nothing is settled. The struggle goes on, scandalizing the Church, until finally, an agreement is reached.
Now, you might think I’m talking about the Episcopal Church. I could be, but as it happens, I’m talking about the Church in the fourth century which was desperately trying to hammer out a statement on the relationship between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We blithely recite the finished product in its elegantly worded, translated-into-English-language form each Sunday.
The Nicene Creed came out of the Council of Nicea in the year 324 and was ratified at Constantinople in 381. In its final form, the first three paragraphs state what western Christianity believes about (that is to say, sets its heart upon) God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
What we often forget, however, is that doctrines of the Church never spring forth fully formed. On the contrary, birthing a doctrine always involves a long, slow, painful labor. The Trinitarian Controversy, as it came to be called, took nearly 100 years to resolve. Why? Because Scripture alone is not at all clear about the precise relationship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And so we had to talk about it … for a VERY long time.
I find it both strangely seemly and delightfully ironic that many of the bishops and deputies to General Convention will travel to Columbus, Ohio – site of the 2006 General Convention – on Trinity Sunday. Trinity Sunday is the day in which the Church celebrates not an event in the life of Christ or his apostles, but rather a doctrine that the leaders of the early church struggled to define.
The process wasn’t pretty. A whole lot of acrimony, mutual vilifying and excommunication took place. The seeds for schism between the church in the west and the church in the east – a schism that would occur about eight centuries later and which remains unhealed – were in some ways sown in the document we know as the Nicene Creed. In this way, it is both brilliant and flawed – not unlike the Church itself that struggled to articulate the ineffable, and continues to do so.
Some things don’t change. The task lain before the House of Bishop and the House of Deputies at this, and every, General Convention (GC) is enormous. It is a tremendous responsibility to take part in the councils of the church, and the fact that our bishops and deputies are doing so in a climate of disputation – perhaps even outright hostility – makes the task that much more difficult. Difficult, but not new.
Perhaps setting out for GC on Trinity Sunday will provide a context for their 10 days of work – a context that reminds us both that conflict and disputation have always been a part of our flawed reality as Christian people AND that conflict and disputation need not be the end of the story.
A memory: Eight years ago I had the privilege of standing in the north transept balcony of the National Cathedral, with a splendid bird’s eye view of the entire investiture of Frank Griswold as Presiding Bishop. I also had the privilege of seeing a real cross-section of the church. Among the over 200 bishops assembled were 4 who refused to ordain women. And among the 200 bishops were 7 women.
The bishops who two years earlier had brought heresy charges against Bishop Richter (remember that controversy?) were there. So was Bishop Richter. The 15 of us priests whom Frank had selected to be communion ministers at his investiture represented a stunning diversity in itself: evangelicals, Anglo-Catholics, broad-church, liberals, conservatives, men, women, black, white, gay, straight. I was there with two of my closest friends; and I was there with someone I struggle to be civil to. There we all were, nearly 4000 strong. And in one voice, we thundered out in that immense soaring Gothic space, “We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.”
Are we a divided Church? Yes. Is it painful? Is it a scandal? Yes. Is it somehow different from how the Church has been throughout our history? No. We’ll get through the controversies that plague us now, just as we got through the Trinitarian controversy nearly 17 centuries ago.
And centuries from now, I predict the Church will read about us in their history books, and shake their heads, and wonder how we could possibly have been so divided about sexuality – even as they themselves will be embroiled in their own controversies.
I’m not trying to minimize the reality of our brokenness. I am not trying to sweep the pain under the carpet and call it by a different name. We are a broken church. And yet the enduring good news is that God’s love does not take us out of our conflicts, but insists on saving us in and through them.
Christ comes to us in our brokenness and only in our brokenness, and sends us forth to do our best and most importantly, promises to be with us always to the end of the age.
– by the Rev. Canon Sue Sommer
Octave of Prayer for General Convention
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral will join with congregations and the people of God across the Episcopal Church to pray for the work of General Convention during an Octave of Prayer. The eight days of prayer open on The Day of Pentecost, Sunday, June 4, and conclude Trinity Sunday, June 11.
Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold and House of Deputies President George L. W. Werner will launch the observance during June 4 parish services. That Sunday, Griswold will preach at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields, New York City, while Werner will preach at St. James’ Church, Lancaster, Penn.
“Supported by the prayer of the whole church, it is my hope that Deputies and Bishops gathered together in Columbus will make decisions that reflect the mind and heart of Christ who through the cross has drawn all to himself in the fullness of his reconciling love,” Griswold observes in a letter accompanying the resources.
The daily readings and accompanied prayers were selected by Bishop Jeffery Rowthorn, formerly bishop suffragan of the Diocese of Connecticut and bishop assisting with the Convocation of American Churches in Europe.
Two prayers, written specifically for the 75th General Convention and its participants by the Rev. Jennifer Phillips, vicar of St. Augustine’s, Kingston, Rhode Island, are also available on the site.
The idea for the octave was conceived at the joint meeting of the councils of advice for the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies after Bishop Chilton Knudsen described her plans for an octave of prayer in her Diocese of Maine.
An octave is an ancient church tradition of eight days of prayer between two feast days such as the Octave of Holy Week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday or the octave of Christian Unity between the Confession of St. Peter (January 18) and the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25).
In his role as House of Deputies president, Werner named the Rev. Helen Svoboda-Barber of the Diocese of Ohio to chair the effort.
“It is significant that the octave will begin on Pentecost, the Church’s ‘birthday party,’ and continue through Trinity Sunday, the Church’s ‘family reunion,’” Svoboda-Barber said.
The octave ends just as deputies and bishops begin to gather in Columbus, Ohio, for the June 13-21 legislative sessions.
In his letter, Griswold notes that the people who will gather in Columbus are the “descendants of that community” upon whom the Holy Spirit descended on the first Pentecost.
The hope of the octave planning group is that both individuals and congregations would participate in the octave to provide prayerful support to the General Convention.
All of the resources reflect the General Convention’s theme of “Come and Grow.” Themes for the daily observances are as follows:
• Pentecost, Sunday, June 4: Grow in the Spirit
• Monday, June 5: Grow in Hope
• Tuesday, June 6: Grow in Love
• Wednesday, June 7: Grow in Understanding
• Thursday, June 8: Grow in Gratitude
• Friday, June 9: Grow in Service
• Saturday, June 10: Grow in Peace
• Trinity Sunday, June 11: Grow in All Ways into Christ
Here at the Cathedral the Octave will be observed within the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. As there is no celebration on Saturday, parishioners are asked to observe the octave by using the following resources:
Suggested scripture readings, prayers and meditations can be found at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/53785_74428_ENG_HTM.htm.
The meditations, which will also be emailed to Episcopal News Service subscribers, were written by a number of individuals reflecting the diversity of the church. To subscribe go to http://episcopalchurch.org/3577_11458_ENG_HTM.htm.
In addition to the Octave, on June 14 at 6:30 p.m., a Taizι-style prayer service will be held at the Cathedral to support the work of the Convention (see notice on page 7) and prayers will be offered daily at the 12:05 p.m. Eucharist during General Convention June 13 -21.
– by the Very Rev. Terry White
A Prayer for the 75th General ConventionGod our Wisdom, who eternally makes all things new: |
Youth to have voice at General Convention
Youth in the Episcopal Church will play a large part in this month’s General Convention, with Cathedral member Alexandra Connors lending her own strong voice.
Alexandra, a junior at Notre Dame de Sion High School, was chosen to be part of the Official Youth Presence at the General Convention. Eighteen youth will participate, two from each church province.
 |
| Jessica Lowe (L, from Pennsylvania) and Alexandra Connors (R) are two members of the Offical Youth Presence at this month’s General Convention. (Episcopal News Service photo) |
Alexandra has been part of the Provincial Youth Network since she was a high school freshman. Her PYN coordinator suggested she apply for the Convention representation, and after filling out a lengthy application that included several essay questions, she was contacted in December and told she had been chosen.
“It was really exciting,” Alexandra said. “I’ve always wanted to go to General Convention.”
The Official Youth Presence was first authorized by the 1982 General Convention. They will not vote, but will be seated on the floor of the House of Deputies. They will have a voice and will be able to speak on issues that concern them. They will also address the House of Deputies and House of Bishops, as well as the Episcopal Church Women Triennial meeting.
In March, Alexandra, her 17 colleagues and their coordinators met for an intense weekend of training in Atlanta. In addition to learning about how the General Convention works and which issues are brought before different houses, they got to know each other. Alexandra found that she and her fellow participants were not co-workers or associates, but friends. “We all got to know each other as a youth presence,” she said. “I’m friends with all of them now. It was really hard to say goodbye.”
When Alexandra and the others arrive in Columbus later this month, they will be able to speak out on several issues. Some of the main ones are the global community, AIDS, world hunger and homosexuality. In addition, at least four resolutions concerning the role of youth in the Episcopal Church will be introduced. They address the role of youth in church leadership, the importance of campus ministries, Christian formation for youth and creating new rites and prayers for youth.
No one can predict what kind of an impact the Official Youth Presence will have on the General Convention, but if the past is a guide, it will be unmistakable. “Past conventions have treated youth with a lot of respect. They’ve been impressed that youth bring forth such powerful issues. If we speak up, we can make a huge impact,” Alexandra said, noting that youth have gotten resolutions changed in the past. “We’re known as being a group that sticks with things.”
For more information about the youth participation in the General Convention, see the Episcopal Church website (link listed below).
– by Chris Morrison
Watch for Alexandra’s convention updates here on the Cathedral website.
General Convention Suggested Web Sites
1. The General Convention at the Episcopal Church web site:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/53785_ENG_HTM.htm
• Links to Episcopal News Service reports from Convention,
• ECW Triennial news,
• Young Adult Festival news at General Convention.
• The official blue Book can be read online
• Photos and video of liturgies, events, and press conferences.
• Live video streaming of House of Deputies in session
• Webcasts of news and events
2. The Diocese of West Missouri web site:
• Daily reports from the Diocesan deputation concerning events and legislation.
3. Anglican Communion News Service
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/index.cfm
• Reactions from around the Anglican Communion may be posted here.
June 14 • 6:30 p.m.
A Taizι-style prayer service to support the work of the Convention
Vestry approves changes in Cathedral governance
The complexity of the Cathedral operation – the sheer volume of folk whose faithful labor makes possible the many ministries we do together – is both a delight and a challenge. It’s a delight because the Cathedral is blessed with an abundance of talented parishioners who generously give of their time. It’s a challenge because a huge volunteer workforce requires that the Cathedral leadership establish clear expectations and boundaries, practice good communication, and provide avenues for healthy feedback, while welcoming the talents of as many parishioners as possible.
To that challenging end, the Vestry unanimously voted in February to approve a new governance policy, which provides new rules and guidelines for volunteer ministries at the Cathedral. Vestry members and committee chairs then met in late April to begin the work of implementing the changes. At this meeting, Senior Warden Michael Thomas characterized the remainder of 2006 as transitional time for committees. Many Committee chairs have already begun considering ways to implement their transitions. This includes recognizing and honoring the service performed by long-time committee members, recruiting new membership, and maintaining (or enhancing) expertise.
Parishioners are invited to read the entire Governance Policy, either here on the Cathedral website or by requesting hard copy of the policy from the Cathedral Office.
The policy formalizes recommendations made by the Subcommittee on Governance, chaired by Paula Miller and created during the tenure of the interim dean. The subcommittee ultimately recommended a plan of broad and shared leadership, quite different from the vision of the interim dean but very consistent with the vision of Dean White. They envisioned a form of governance that would enhance accountability, establish term limits, invite new membership, and clearly define the function of each committee. The Rev. Canon Sue Sommer, working with the Dean, the wardens, and members of the governance subcommittee, drafted the policy.
The new policy groups committees in one of three categories: Vestry, Pastoral, or Program.
Vestry Committees are those whose functions specifically relate to the “temporal affairs of the church,” – that for which a Vestry is canonically responsible. Vestry Committees are Budget, Buildings and Grounds, Finance, and Stewardship. In addition to these standing committees, a Nominating Committee is also established each October and is disbanded once their work for the upcoming year is completed.
Pastoral Committees perform a specific ministry, advance the vision of the Cathedral community, are chaired by a parishioner and are supported by the budget in one or more line items. Pastoral Committees are Acolytes, Cathedral Caregivers, Guild of the Christ Child, Holy Hands, New Member Development, and Social Action.
Program Committees are similar to Pastoral Committees with one exception: they support a ministry that is under the direction of a Cathedral staff member who chairs the committee. Program Committees include Adult Formation, Children’s Formation, Communications, Music, Youth, and Altar Guild.
In addition, there are two committees which serve at the pleasure of the Dean and report directly to him: the Dean’s Council and the Memorial Committee.
Built into the policy are several innovations:
• Each Vestry member is expected to serve on at least one committee
– be it Vestry, Pastoral, or Program;
• Guidelines determining the size of each committee are now in
place;
• Committee membership is intentionally rotational, meaning that
committee members will generally serve 3-year terms, with one-third
of the committee rotating off each year.
The policy “architects” see distinct advantages in these features: enhancing a sense of mutual accountability between the Vestry and the committees; intentionally drawing in the talents of the broader Cathedral membership thereby encouraging greater overall commitment to the Cathedral, avoiding burn-out, encouraging fresh ideas, and developing new generations of leadership.
Adult Formation
Sundays at 9:15 a.m.
In the Common Room
A Pre-convention Forum
Led by the Very Rev. Terry White
Meets June 4 in the Common Room
The official governing body of the Episcopal Church in the United States is the General Convention, which meets every three years. In June, Dean White will serve as a deputy to the 75th General Convention in Columbus, Ohio. The agenda of General Convention includes a variety of topics and we have an opportunity to hear about some of the key issues to be discussed at this year’s gathering — from ministry discernment to small church ministry to church discipline.
In the Youth Room, Haden Hall
Lectionary Learners
Each week this group gathers for lectionary study of the day’s readings and fellowship while exploring what the Bible has to say about living a Christian life. This type of study has been described as “building the body through sharing; opening the mind by questioning; and embracing the spirit for Sunday worship.” A deeper understanding of the Bible text brings us all into a closer relationship with Christ and each other.
In the Multipurpose Room,
Level 1 of Founders’ Hall
Religious Book Study
Life of the Beloved is one of the final works penned by Henri Nouwen. Much like some of the other great texts in Christian literature, it began as a request from one friend to another, and is in the form of an open letter to Fred Bratman, a secular journalist and writer.
His friend’s request was for an explanation of the spiritual life in terms that he and his friends could understand, avoiding theology and technical language.
Nouwen addresses a variety of questions in this work, pulling from a lifetime of experience including his final years serving as pastor to the mentally disabled of L’Arche Daybreak community in Toronto. This work views spirituality not as something separate from the world, but within the world.
What is our place in the world in God’s eyes? How can we blend service and spiritual worship with the harshness of the everyday world? How can we, imperfect and each broken in our own way, feel beloved by the Almighty?
Copies of the book are available in the Cathedral Bookstore.
Cathedral continues involvement with MN
Recently, the organization Clowns Without Borders, a non-profit group dedicated to bringing laughter and relief to affected populations worldwide, spent 10 days in southern Haiti partnering with Maison de Naissance (MN) and other organizations to perform and share circus skills.
They performed on the grounds of MN and here is what one of the clowns wrote in his journal:
“Maison de Naissance is a refuge, a beautiful building, not only of physical aspects, but also metaphorically. Surrounded by fields, huts, and small homes, MN offers a warmth and compassion that one feels the minute they cross the threshold of its gates. We have visited before, and every time we come, there are children playing, relatives, and workers awaiting the birth of a new child, or simply waiting in line to receive a regular check-up. By the spirit of the staff and patients waiting, one sometimes forgets that we are in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.”
We are blessed to be associated with such a loving and holy place. One of the ways we can show our support for this birthing center is by putting donations into the MN box-house that is placed in Founders’ Hall each time we have a baptism at the Cathedral. This clear plastic box with the MN logo is a reminder of the gift of children and our thanksgiving for them. We hope that you will be generous in your support of MN.
The Cathedral will host a Haiti Event September 17, 2006. There will be booths from various churches displaying their support of various ministries in Haiti. You can enjoy the food and flavor of Haiti while learning more about our ministry and the ministries of others.
In addition, we are planning to take a small group of parishioners to Haiti in January of 2007. We will be gone about nine days. While there, we will help with tasks, both medical and others. If you are interested in being part of this group, please contact Deacon Linda at the church office (816-474-8260). I will be happy to give you more information on the trip and on the conditions in Haiti.
– by the Rev. Canon Linda Yeager
June 11 • 11:45 a.m.
It’s time for
our annual Trinity Sunday Parish Picnic
and we’re firing up the grills!
• Hot dogs, bratwurst and beverages
provided •
• Wonderscope activities and games to play •
• Dress casually •
• Enjoy this time of fellowship •
Please bring a favorite side dish and/or dessert to share at the picnic table!
The Angelus
A laypersons’ newspaper published in the interest of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral.
THE ANGELUS SMALL GROUP CONTRIBUTORS:
Emily Akins
Mary Byrne
Rachel Chambers
Jan Frizzle
John Hornbeck
Sergio C. Moreno
Chris Morrison
Cynthia Newman
Julie Toma, Editor
Submissions from parishioners and small groups are welcome and encouraged. All entries are requested by the 15th day of the month prior to publication via fax: (816) 474-5856 or e-mail: communications@ghtc-kc.org
The Cathedral’s Financial Status
Income under budget and expenses under budget continued a 2005 trend. While having expenses under budget is to be desired, having income under budget is less desirable. Our income deficit so far this year is within historical patterns and can be reversed if we all support the ministry of the Cathedral.
The summer months often find income down as parishioners are away on vacation. Expenses continue at the Cathedral during the summer months so enjoy your vacations and please keep your pledges current.
– by Doyle White, treasurer
| APRIL MTD | BUDGETED MTD | ACTUAL MTD |
| INCOME | $ 125,587 | $ 106,962 |
| EXPENSES | $ 132,475 | $ 127,769 |
| VARIANCE | $ (6,888) | $ (20,807) |
| MARCH YTD | BUDGETED YTD | ACTUAL YTD |
| INCOME | $ 526,785 | $ 477,766 |
| EXPENSES | $ 548,313 | $ 523,376 |
| VARIANCE | $ (21,528) | $ (45,610) |
Children’s Formation year wraps up, announce summer plans
The 2005-2006 Children’s Formation year is winding down and the Godly Play, All Things New and pre-confirmation classes will break for the summer after June 11.
Summer programs begin June 18 at 9:15 a.m. and continue through July 30. Pre-readers will share a story and role- play time. Children in grades 1-8 will use the God and Country series developed by the Boy Scouts of America. Everyone is welcome! Membership in a scout troop is not required for participation but scouts can earn badges at completion.
This is a unique opportunity for your child, a member of our clergy and you to work together on a goal-setting journey of faith. Summer 2006 is the only time this year the God and Country series will be offered at the Cathedral. Junior and Senior Children’s Chapels will meet, together, in the junior chapel at 10:15 a.m. through July 30. Classes and chapel will resume September 3.
Our children’s library will be open upon request throughout the week. We are planning weekday outings to the zoo and local parks that will be listed in the weekly bulletin.
Children in formation have accomplished much this year. The focus of activities, in addition to our chapel, Godly Play, All Things New and pre-confirmation lessons, has been the building of community both locally and globally.
Our all-ages gatherings, in the Haden Hall auditorium, have nurtured the connection to all God’s people: from inside and outside of one’s own family, classmates, and church and out into the world.
Children’s Formation hosted visits from every member of our clergy this year. We learned what each priest and deacon does in our Cathedral, and in the larger community (and boy do they work hard!), why they wear the clothing they do during service and what it means to be called by God. FYI: through some astute questioning by our youngsters we have established that God does not call you on the telephone! Yet God does speak to us in subtler, quieter ways. We just have to be open to Him and pay attention.
In a collaborative effort between Canon Schaefer, Malinda McCasland and the Formation team we have introduced many traditional hymns this year and a variety of children’s Bible songs selected by Phineas Gitta. Our teachers, chapel and homily leaders reflect the diversity of Cathedral members and their special gifts and unique perspectives.
Children in formation chapels are generous in their weekly offerings to support our foster children and their communities: John in Uganda, Vinod in India and Gladis in Ecuador. We actively pray for our military members around the world.
We have kept a photograph of our own Kevin Thomas, currently serving in Afghanistan, posted on our bulletin board. The picture is of Kevin at six years old, in formation class, here at the Cathedral. His picture reminds us that once, we all were children; always, we are all children of God.
Our children at the Cathedral “get it.” When three-year-old Sydney whispers a prayer in chapel for her mother’s friend who died last summer, when Ashley prays for her unborn brother; our children are living the connection to God and his people. We are surrounded by the blessings of the Lord. We are connected through love, joy, humanity and suffering. We give thanks that we have each other. We thank God for the beauty in our lives. We pray that Grandma’s operation goes well. Our homilies connect us to the past by relating experiences ancient and modern.
God’s presence in Haden Hall is riveting and palpable! We look forward to seeing your child each week! We want them to know that summer at the Cathedral is going to be a fantastic, faith-filled, font of fun! Come on in… the water is fine!
For more information contact DeAnn McTavish 816-474-8260 dmctavish@ghtc-kc.org
– by DeAnn McTavish
| Sundays, June 18-July 30 At 9:15 a.m. Pre-readers • Story and play time At 10:15 a.m. |
Congrats Graduates!
Patrick Burke, Lincoln High School
Cynthia Dietrich, Boulder High School
Luke Flora, Shawnee Mission East High School
Andrew McMullen, Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest
Ramsay Randall, Barstow High School
Matthew Rau, University of Kansas
Ginny Rice, Lee's Summit West High School
Kitty Rice, Lee's Summit West High School
David Michael Singleton, Shawnee Mission West High School
Flower memorials and thanksgivings
May 7 • The flowers at the altar are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for H. Tully Moss by his wife, Ruth Moss.
May 14 • The flowers at the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Edward Gordon by Elizabeth Gordon; and in loving memory of Marie Hall Pence and Elizabeth Shelton Sifers by Mr. and Mrs. William L. Pence; also in loving memory of her husband, Albert Franklin Wallace, by Sharyl L. Wallace. At the baptismal font, flowers are given in loving memory of their grandmother, Cynthia Warrick Kemper, by Cynthia, Andrew and August Dietrich. Memorial candles are given in memory of The Right Reverend Jackson Kemper, first Missionary Bishop in the United States, by Shelia Kemper and Walter Reich Dietrich.
May 21 • The flowers at the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Louise T. Morrison and Peggy Sloan by Mrs. Herbert A. Sloan. At the chapel altar, flowers are given in thanksgiving for their daughter Elizabeth, and for the anniversary of Kathleen and Brad, by Ron and Carolyn McLeroy; and in thanksgiving for the birthday of Mela Mlivo, by Alan and Phyllis Ryder.
May 28 • The flowers are the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of David C. Ludwig, Sr., by Samuel and Dorothy Gershman and Nan, Paul and Andie Schooling; in loving memory of Bill Haberland by his wife, Clint, and his family; and in loving memory of her husband, Kenneth E. Arnold, and their beloved son, Charles R. Arnold, by Mrs. Mildred Arnold. At the baptismal font, flowers are given in thanksgiving for her children, Mary Ellen Heger and John Frances Toner, and their children, by Mrs. Evelyn Toner; and in loving memory of their grandfather, Leslie Shaw, by Page Branton Reed and Leslie Branton Hoffecker.
With Sympathy
We ask that you remember the following families in your prayers:
Jessie Louise Hall, grandmother of Jennifer Lowry
Jean Fulton, sister of Marian Philip
Trinity Teens conclude successful year filled with service
The Trinity Teens wrapped up their year on May 17 with a kaleidoscopic event featuring Mexican food, Hawaiian decorations, lawn and elevator Twister championships, and enough whipped cream pies thrown (and eaten) to keep everyone laughing and looking forward to future fun.
Now that regular Wednesday evening youth group has ended for this school year, watch the Sunday bulletins for news of an upcoming pool party and other summer events. Special thanks go out to the parents and other volunteers who have provided planning, dinner, supervision, and activities for our teens over these past nine months.
Thanks be to God for the ministry of our wonderful teens in their service projects and in their presence, and for the faithful support they receive from their families and this congregation.
– by the Rev. Carol Sanford
photos by Grady and Carol Sanford
Wine tasting raises money for Cathedral, Maison de Naissance
“Wine to Warm Your Heart” was the theme of the second wine tasting at the Cathedral. The evening featured South American wines and a live auction. A portion of the proceeds from this event went to support the Maison de Naissance birthing home in Haiti.
Matt Vincent of Gomer’s South was on hand to answer questions and help the tasters with their selections. Among the items auctioned were tickets to the Royals, Wizards and Florida condo packages.
photos by Julie Toma
News from Guild of the Christ Child
Our congratulations to Walsh family on the Baptism of baby Sara, April 23. As usual many hands made light work as we prepared our celebration coffee hour for this wonderful family.
Our thanks to those who helped bring our small tokens of appreciation to Cathedral mother’s this Mother’s Day. Here is a repeat of our prayer for those who missed it:
God, How tender was your love for us, when you created mothers.
Their love, their grace, their strength and their dreams could only
be divinely made: a beautiful reflection of Your care for humankind.
Please embrace these mothers, bless their sacred gifts, and lift
them up to serve You with joyful hearts each day. Amen
Mom’s Bible Study began a new study and a new type of study the end
of May. We will continue, through the summer, the use of select
articles from a Christian Publication called Weavings. Each
bi-monthly magazine features a specific subject which we will use as
discussion openers for several weeks before moving on to the next
magazine and the next subject. Please join us Friday mornings from
9:30 to 11, childcare provided; for questions contact Mattie Ransom,
facilitator, at 816-781-3262.
Our next meeting will be a feast, featuring summer salads, at Linda Yeager’s home, June 13th at 6:00 pm. Please R.S.V.P. to lyeager@ghtc-kc.org or 816 474-8260 ext.109 if you will be attending and the salad you will be bringing.
– by Jeanette Coletti
June 18
4 p.m.
Weekly Activities
SUNDAY
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:15 a.m. Christian Formation
10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist • Children’s Chapel
5:00 p.m. Order for Evening and
Holy Eucharist
MONDAY
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist
TUESDAY
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist
1:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study
WEDNESDAY
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist
5:45 p.m. The Tallis Singers
6:00 p.m. Grace Choraliers
THURSDAY
7:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study
9:30 a.m. Cathedral Outreach Program
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist
7:00 p.m. Choir Small Group
7:30 p.m. Trinity Choir
FRIDAY
9:30 a.m. Moms’ Bible Study
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist
Activities for the Month of June
Please verify times and dates of the events listed with the appropriate person(s) or by contacting the Cathedral Office.
3 • SATURDAY
10:30 a.m. Ordinations
4 • SUNDAY
11:45 a.m. Music Committee
3:30 p.m. Centering Prayer Group
6 • TUESDAY
6:30 p.m. Needlework Arts Group
7:00 p.m. The Angelus Small Group
7 • WEDNESDAY
6:30 p.m. Couples’ Bible Study
8 • THURSDAY
6:30 p.m. Thursday Evening Bible Study
9 • FRIDAY
12:30 p.m. The Dean’s Cup Classic Golf Classic
6:30 p.m. Lobster Awards Banquet
11 • SUNDAY • Blood Pressure Sunday
12:00 p.m. Social Action Committee
12 • MONDAY
6:00 p.m. Robbery Victims Support Group
13 • TUESDAY
6:15 p.m. Cancer Support Group
14 • WEDNESDAY
5:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee
6:30 p.m. Taizι Service
18 • SUNDAY
12:00 p.m. Integrity Group
3:30 p.m. Centering Prayer Group
4:00 p.m. Choral Evensong
19 • MONDAY
4:30 p.m. Buildings and Grounds Committee
7:30 p.m. Recital: Jung-Eun Ahn
20 • TUESDAY
6:15 p.m. Guild of the Christ Child
21 • WEDNESDAY
7:30 a.m. Finance Committee
6:30 p.m. Couples’ Bible Study
22 • THURSDAY
5:00 p.m. Vestry
6:30 p.m. Thursday Evening Bible Study
26 • MONDAY
6:00 p.m. Robbery Victims Support Group
28 • WEDNESDAY
6:30 p.m. Reel People
The Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri
P.O. Box 412048
Kansas City, Missouri 64141
Telephone: (816) 474-8260
Facsimile: (816) 474-5856
Website: www.ghtc-kc.org
E-mail: office@ghtc-kc.org
The Right Rev. Barry R. Howe
Bishop of West Missouri
The Very Rev. Terry White
Dean
The Rev. Susan Sommer
Canon Pastor and Subdean
The Rev. Carol Sanford
Curate
The Rev. Canon Linda Yeager
Deacon
The Rev. Bryan England
Deacon
The Rev. Bruce Hall
Deacon
Mr. John L. Schaefer
Canon Musician
The Very Rev. J. Earl Cavanaugh
Dean Emeritus and Pastoral Adjunct